They Don't Just Shape Our Diets

Food is something humans need to survive, but its significance goes much beyond simple sustenance. The propensity of humans to develop certain tastes for specific foods makes them highly coveted, fueling greed, trade, conflicts, and cruel labor practices. From humble staples like bread and rice to exotic imports like chocolate and vanilla, here are 20 foods that changed history. 

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1. Sugar

Sugarcane was the driving force behind European powers' colonization of tropical regions. It fueled the slave trade and became a key source of European wealth in the 17th and 18th centuries. It also permanently changed the way we eat, introducing pastries, sweet drinks, candies, and a global diabetes epidemic.

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2. Bread

Bread was the staple food of early civilizations and the foundation of early agriculture. Stable grain harvesting allowed nomadic people to settle in one area. Later on, people were so dependent on bread that shortages would trigger unrest and even revolutions.

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3. Tomatoes

Can you imagine what Italian food would be like without tomatoes? As tomatoes are native to the Americas, there were several centuries during which this was the case. Tomatoes were even initially thought to be poisonous by Europeans, but once embraced, they became central to many different cuisines from Spain to the Middle East and India. 

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4. Coffee

When you imagine NYC without Starbucks, Italy without cappuccinos, or France without cafe au lait, you can see the world would be a very different place without coffee. It was first discovered in Ethiopia and spread across Europe in the 17th century. The crop was a major driver for the creation of global trade networks, and the coffee shop culture in Europe fueled intellectual discussions.

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5. Tea

Tea was long consumed in China and Japan for medicinal and cultural purposes before Europeans developed a taste for it. The later global demand for it sparked the creation of numerous trade routes and played a central role in the economy of the British Empire. 

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6. Chocolate

Chocolate, or cacao, was first cultivated by Indigenous tribes in the Americas who drank it as a bitter beverage during rituals. Once Europeans discovered it, it fueled colonial exploitation and brought huge amounts of wealth to Europe and the Americas. 

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7. Salt

Before refrigeration, salt was an essential preservative that was incredibly valuable. The demand for it created major trade routes with whole successful cities along them, and sparked conflicts.

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8. Cheese

Cheese was likely discovered in the 5th century BC when milk stored in animal stomachs curdled. It became an essential way to preserve milk and provide protein, fat, and calories in a more portable format. Not to mention, it has a culinary impact on countless cuisines, including Italian, French, and Middle Eastern.

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9. Wine

Beyond providing the perfect beverage pairing with steak, pasta, or charcuterie boards, wine has had a huge impact on religion and cultural identities. Its origins can be traced back to modern-day Georgia nearly 8,000 years ago. It was used by the Greeks and Romans as offerings to the Gods, and is still used today in Christian and Jewish rituals.

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10. Vanilla

Vanilla was first cultivated by Indigenous people in Mexico and was brought to Europe after the Spanish conquest, when it became one of the most labor-intensive, expensive, a coveted spices globally. It fueled the colonization of Madagascar. It's still the most popular dessert flavor in the world.

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11. Potatoes

The humble potato reshaped diets and agriculture after they were brought to Europe from the Americas. Their ability to thrive in harsh conditions made them a foundational crop in many places, fueling rapid population growth, especially in Ireland and Eastern Europe.

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12. Corn

Corn or maize was first domesticated by Indigenous peoples in Mexico before becoming a staple crop all across Europe, Africa, and Asia, even serving as the base of animal feed for livestock. It's now the most grown crop in the US. 

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13. Rice

Rice is arguably the most important food in history. It was first cultivated in China 9,000 years ago, becoming the foundation of Asian cuisines and countless other cultures, and fueling colonization and the slave trade. It became a symbol for fertility and prosperity in some cultures.

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14. Noodles

Noodles originated in China nearly 4,000 years ago and were spread along the Silk Road to Japan, Vietnam, and Italy. They continue to be a global food icon with universal appeal.

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15. Processed Food

The 19th and 20th centuries brought modern food preservation, like canning goods and pasteurization, which made food more accessible and long-lasting than ever before. While processed foods made eating more convenient, reduced famines, and reshaped global diets, some may also pose health risks. 

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16. Meat

Meat is one of the foods that has been most crucial to human survival. Meat hunted and scavenged by early humans provided protein that fueled the growth of larger brains. The later domestication of livestock had a huge impact on agriculture and trade. 

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17. Beans

Beans have been cultivated since ancient times across multiple civilizations. They served as a vital source of protein and nutrition when meat was scarce and became a central part of many cuisines from India to Latin America.

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18. Olive Oil

Olive oil, cultivated in the Mediterranean for over 6,000 years, played a crucial role in Greek, Roman, and Egyptian diets and rituals. It contributed to the wealth of ancient empires and continues to be a gourmet commodity celebrated for its flavor and health benefits.

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19. Chili Peppers

Chili peppers, native to the Americas, transformed global cuisines, providing heat and a punch of flavor to countless dishes. The global demand for chili peppers fueled trade.

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20. Bananas

Today, bananas are one of the most widely consumed fruits. They became a major export crop in South America, creating banana republics in which American fruit companies had a huge say over politics and trade.

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